MONTEREY, Calif. (April 30, 2008)  Recognized as the unofficial North American season opener, the Sea Otter Classic convenes cyclists from all around the globe each year for the largest cycling festival in the world. The end of the event sparks an enthusiasm for cycling that lays dormant in winter and, armed with excitement, vigor and likely a few new skills, products and maybe even bragging rights, Sea Otter participants go forth to indulge, inspire and invigorate their zeal for cycling. The 2009 Sea Otter Classic will take place April 16-19, 2009 be sure to drop by frequently at www.seaotterclassic.com for event information.

"Credit is due to both the loyalists and adventurers who come to Sea Otter for various reasons," said Frank Yohannan, president and CEO of the Sea Otter Classic. "Whether personal, social, recreational or professional, there's no generalizing Sea Otter participants, who have shown a depth and variety unparalleled at any other event in North America."

Sea Otter is a big hit with the over-30 crowd. More than a third of participants are between the ages of 31-40 for both athletes and fans. The second highest percentage of participants belongs to the 41-50-year-olds, some of whom appear to arrive with their kids in tow. Kids under 21 claim 20 percent of total fans and 11 percent of total athletes.

See it, try it, buy it

The Sea Otter Classic presents a rare opportunity for consumers to see, touch, and try new products in an ideal setting before plunking down their hard-earned dollars at their local bike shop. Visitors to Sea Otter's new demo area got a chance to scout out new offerings and then try them out in an environment matched to realistic riding conditions.

"I've been riding cross-country for five years and I am looking to buy a bike," said Kelly Yarasavage of Mountain View, Calif. "It is good be able to get a feel for different bikes.  I am seriously looking for a bike so this is half the reason why we came up here today."

The demo area also gives the industry a rare chance to interact with the very people it seeks to serve.
  
"I taught four riders today and three yesterday how to be comfortable on the bike," said Paul Thomasberg, who works for Shimano in product testing and development. "How to get loose on the bike and work that on the pump track.  I taught them how to look ahead on the skinny boardwalk and how to use the front vs. the rear brake.  Most were intermediate riders.  It was good!"

Racing News
9,500+ cyclists turned up at Start lines to race in one or more of Sea Otter's multitude of events. Always a factor, weather seemed neither to inspire nor discourage competition and results showed a mix of old and new racers, as well as expected winners and stunning performances by first-timers.

copyright Sea Otter Classic, Inc.

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